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Coach Ken Whisenhunt made a joke earlier this week about the Cards taking “the best player available that fits the our need.” This year, he wasn’t kidding. Three picks, three players that just so happened to fit major holes, capped by the slot receiver/punt returner Andre Roberts in the third round. So after that (and the choice of LB Daryl Washington in the second round), some thoughts:

— There are clearly some of you out there less than thrilled about the Roberts pick. Know this — the Cards have been looking for a punt returning alternative for Steve Breaston for a while. Not because Breaston isn’t good, but because he has become that valuable as a receiver. Before Roberts, there wasn’t anyone on the roster that was a true candidate. The Cards also needed speed at receiver. Roberts has some of that as a former track guy. They needed a slot guy. Roberts does that. They needed another candidate as fourth receiver, since the leading in-house candidates were unknown quantities in Ed Gant and Onrea Jones.

Plus, Whisenhunt likes the idea of a guy from the Citadel. Don’t get him wrong. Roberts is here because of what he does on the field. But add that to surviving and thriving at a military school, well, Whiz likes that. His father attended the school and he knows what it is about (Whiz took a visit there before going to Georgia Tech).

— The last NFL player drafted from the Citadel? In 2005, the Redskins spent a seventh rounder on a fullback named Nehemiah Broughton — who just happens to be Roberts’ new teammate on the Cards. Of the 12 Citadel players drafted in history, six have been Cards at one point.

— The Cards have been big on the small schools. Roberts, TE Ben Patrick (Delaware), T Brandon Keith (Northern Iowa), RB Tim Hightower (Richmond), CB Greg Toler (St. Pauls) and DRC (Tennessee State) have all been taken since Whiz came aboard. “Because we have had success with those guys,” Whisenhunt said, “we may be a little less inclined to be scared of that.”

— I think the move to get Washington was important. Defensive coordinator Bill Davis loves the idea of Washington coming in to (eventually) fill Karlos Dansby’s shoes. Davis told a story of putting on a tape of a Clemson-TCU game, when running back C.J. Spiller (who went ninth in the draft to Buffalo) caught a swing pass and the only thing in the flat to stop Spiller was Washington. And there was 10 yards in between the two. Nevertheless, Washington “gets him down easily,” Davis said.

“It’s one play,” Davis siad. “But the athleticism … if you start with speed and athleticism, which you can’t teach. T hen talk to him, he’s a classy young man and football means a lot to him. I talked for maybe two hours. I know he’s sharp enough to learn the NFL system.”

— By the way, the Cards have zero concerns about Washington’s size and/or weight. And the idea is, if Dan Williams and the rest of the defensive line succeeds as planned, Washington will have the space to use his skills to make plays.

— With three picks left, I expect serious consideration on two of them to go to offensive line and defensive back. But in terms of the offensive line, that’s why they signed Rex Hadnot and why they have groomed Keith. That’s why the re-signed Jeremy Bridges. Do they want to keep stockpiling? Yes. But just because some pundits (and some fans) see offensive line as this major need doesn’t mean the Cards do as well.

— If the drop of Jimmy Clausen and Colt McCoy proves anything, it’s how weak this QB class is considered. Because of that, I won’t be surprised to see the Cards get a rookie QB, but after the draft as an undrafted free agent.

19 Responses
to “After the second day”

Darren, any chance the Cards select another DE-OLB? Other than Porter, where is the pass rush going to come from? Washington will play in the middle so he’ll probably be used seldom to get after the QB.

You mention the possibility of taking an offensive linemen tomorrow, but with the news about to break……http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2010/04/jets_cut_pro_bowl_guard_alan_f.html…..regarding Alen Faneca, could the Cards possibly consider this future hall of famer? With Duece still unsigned and Whiz and Grimms ties to Faneca, wouldn’t this be a match made in heaven with him only at the age of 33? (barring a salary issue). Lets trade Duece to KC for some picks tomorrow and have Faneca signed by Monday!!!!!!!!!!!

Good write up. As for the Andre pick, I was initially surprised to see it as a WR right then, but I am very happy. I look at it this way, when you use your first two picks on defense, you can afford to spend one on offense (especially when it also adds to a need at special teams). Looks like a good pick to me. I’m excited about today’s picks. (today because it is tomorrow by the time all 0 of you read this because Darren is off the clock at the time of me writing this)

Darren-
Hey man I’m sure your wore out on us throwing out insane ideas and asking you even more insanely up in the air questions haha… but I am curious on your opinion for some things that have happened in the draft. Who do you think based on the franchises they went to which of the four “elite” quarterbacks has the best shot to be “great” and then I am curious about two more things… Did you like most people watching the draft feel shocked about the Jags pick in the first round with the kid from Cal… lastly do you think Griffen is dropping cause alot was made of his work ethic being low at USC cause i know here in Tucson we have some High motor defensive ends who out did Griffen this year and when they were being recruited our guys got no love while Griffen got the royal treatment

Our picks are great as long as we have a great season and another playoff run and I am happy. We have to ignore some fans that think they are wise in making football decision even though they have no type of experience to be yapping.

Really like what the Club has done. All 3 are guys you’d like to have over for BBQ, all who have special skills for their positions and all who are eager. Dan Williams and Daryl Washington are humble yet determined young men. Roberts…the Citadel, we know about the kind of kids they put out, and he’s team captain 2 years? Add Rhodes, Porter and how stoked DD is…Wow we are doing well. CB is next need in my mind, never enough after seeing the NO game.

Btw, saw BK on CardinalsTV talking with Wolfley, he’s a nice kid and he may surprise. I think he said he came in @ 332, expects to play 325.

PS: Throw Jason Wright’s into the category of players the Cards are stockpling who emulate the Cards’ targeted character and values: humble, versatile, strong work ethics and team players. That’s how you build longevity, consistency.

1) I think Bradford has a chance, and maybe McCoy. Very leery on Tebow and there’s something that’s never seemed right to be about Clausen.
2) Sure I was shocked with the Jags pick. Who wasn’t?
3) I think that’s a major red flag for Griffen. I also heard from some people at the combine he didn’t come off the best during interviews.

A plus. That is our draft grade. Now its on to that latter part of the round. We picked up or skill position and the 2 major needs we had. I like the idea of getting Faneca, if not, we do need some lineman… I cant see us waiting past the fourth round and getting any valuable addition to our line. wouoldnt be a bad idea to shop for a young kicker either.

see I heard clausen interviews were bad too cause he came across as stuck up which i was shocked to hear cause ya alot of these kids might have been the best of the best on the levels they played at but how can you go into a job interview and realize some employers arent gonna like that… and come on darren go ahead and admit to us your excited about the black jersey tops now haha

Faneca most likely will be a cardinal. Whiz and Grimm love him as a player and person. Jets are clueless at relasing a pro bowl guard and as good a running game they had, he was the lynchpin for that great running game, without question.